Page:VCH Kent 1.djvu/344

 A HISTORY OF KENT ber (Prentis). This plover, locally called ' thick- knee,' used to breed in tolerable numbers on the Lydd beach and in its neighbourhood, but now it is rare to find more than one or two pairs breeding there. This banishment has been mainly brought about by the disturbing in- fluence caused by the artillery practice at Lydd, and in a lesser degree by the modern practice of rolling young wheat. On 22 May 1896 I found a nest on the Lydd beach con- taining two eggs, but owing to the locality being continually subjected to a ' dropping ' artillery fire the birds deserted the nest after four days of sitting. It has probably bred near Rainham, since Mr. Prentis mentions having procured a bird in June. 194. Cream-coloured Courser. Cursorius gallicus (J. F. Gmelin) A rare wanderer. In the British Museum there is a specimen obtained by Mr. William Hammond in 1785 near Wingham (Latham, Ge?i. Syn. Suppl. 1 787, p. 254, pi. 1 1 6). On 10 October 1866 another was killed near Sandwich and is now in the Margate Museum (Harting, Zoo/. 1866, p. 523). 195. Dotterel. Eudi-onias morinellm (Linn.) A scarce migrant in spring and autumn. A fine pair of this species were obtained near Lydd on 29 May 1896, and are in my collection. In September immature birds on passage now and again frequent the grass land near our chalk range between Great Chart and Wye. 196. Ringed Plover. MgiaUth hiatiada (Linn.) Locally, Stone-runner. A common resident along our coast where there are stretches of sand and mud. Con- siderable numbers breed on the Lydd beach, where I have taken the eggs. During the breeding season these noisy little birds course over the beach all day long, uttering their whistling cries. Even the skylarks of the locality catch their plaintive notes, and pro- duce them amongst their own with startling exactitude. In September the homebred birds are augmented by numbers of migrants, resort- ing to the shore line in large flocks. In spring the continental form of this species — a smaller bird — may often be met with on the south coast. every year. The breeding locality of this bird is the Lydd beach between Rye and Dungeness, and the artillery practice at Lydd during the nesting season as well as the greed of collectors are effectually bringing about the banishment of this species. In 1896 four pairs bred on the beach not very far from Dungeness. The nest is not easily found. The bird seldom makes any demonstration in the way of a call-note ; it creeps away like a mouse through the dry beach grass, which it resembles so closely in colour. When the eggs are hatched the bird is still more wary. It often drops the food close to the young without even alighting. In the beginning of September the birds, bred in the locality, assemble in small flocks of five to six birds, frequent the water's edge at low tide for a short time, and then depart. 198. Golden Plover. Charadrius pluvia/is, Linn. Common during severe winters ; the ma- jority are immature birds frequenting our grass fields. During the autumn migration in September small parties visit for a short time the vicinity of our harbours. In spring they seldom stop, passing high over head in small flocks, chiefly adults with their black breasts. 199. Grey Plover. Squatarola helvetica (Linn.) Throughout September small parties of immature birds appear from time to time on the portions of our coast where the sand is muddy and along the brackish pieces of water on the Lydd beach. In November the adult birds put in an appearance, but only a few remain with us throughout the winter. From May to the beginning of June individuals in breeding plumage come and go on our mud- flats. I have known a few birds stay with us throughout the summer. 200. Lapwing. Vanellm vulgaris, Bechstein. Locally, Peewit, Green Plover. A common resident, breeding in the marshes, but owing to drainage and the modern practice of rolling young wheat its breeding numbers have decreased. During severe winters numbers of ' foreigners ' come to our pasture fields. In the beginning of Sep- tember large flocks congregate on our south coast prior to leaving the county. 197. Kentish Plover. Mgialith cantiana 20 (Latham) Locally, Stone-runner. As a breeding species becoming scarcer Turnstone. Strepsllas interpres (Linn.) A common migrant to our coast in spring and autumn obtained. birds in summer dress are seldom 294